Course Overview

Course summary

The Digital Business MSc will allow you to develop the digital capabilities, theoretical background and management skills you need to pursue a career in digital business. The course responds to the increasing market need for degree holders who combine digital with business management knowledge and skills and is open to graduates from any subject area planning to acquire the digital competencies sought by the labour market. It is particularly aimed at graduates who want to enhance their skills and career prospects by becoming business orientated but with sufficient understanding of the latest technology capabilities to envisage, plan and manage digital initiatives.

The course draws on the University’s established expertise in the area of digital business and offers a stimulating and innovative knowledge platform that will help you acquire academically robust knowledge and cutting-edge capabilities in digital business and will enable you to manage digital business challenges and lead at the forefront of digital transformation.

Course structure

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

All modules in the course are core modules. Each contributes to the development of the core knowledge, subject-specific capabilities and transferable skills of Digital Business.

To help you make an informed decision, you can have a look at how marks have been calculated and study time has been distributed on this course in the past.

Core modules

The big data analytics and business intelligence module provides an opportunity to understand the foundations of big data, the data analytics lifecycle and business intelligence. You will be introduced to several business intelligence platforms and data analytics technologies. You will also develop the statistical skills and knowledge that can be applied to practical big data analytics cases in an organisational context.

The module builds digital business consultancy skills through exploration of authentic industry scenarios. You will learn how to develop digital solutions to given business challenges by means of extending an organisation’s digital capabilities to address issues, improve operational efficiency and drive innovation, while developing a robust strategy to guide and inform digital transformation changes.

The expansion and ready availability of computing devices has changed the way consumers interact with each other and the commercial world. This module explores the integration of digital techniques within the practice of marketing. There are four core themes – the gathering of information about customers and competitors and interpreting their behaviour; the development of strategies for acquisition, conversion and retention; the use of digital tools within the communication process and evaluation through digital analytics.

The module explores digital trust through three aspects closely related to digital business: cybersecurity, risk management and blockchain technologies and applications. In particular, it studies the principles and approaches of information security, examines the frameworks and techniques employed to effectively manage risk, and investigates the fundamentals, applications and impact of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

This module provides students with an understanding of organisational innovation challenges and practices, underpinned by an appreciation of technological and managerial approaches to digital innovation and the management of marketplace disruption. Through analysis of real-world innovation case studies, students will explore historical and present-day examples of how digital technologies have impacted on the innovative development of new digital products and services, focusing on key challenges and risks related to digital innovation initiatives in organisations.

This module will enable students to contribute to the development of digital transformation strategies, initiatives, operational models, and to support their implementation. It reflects the disruption of technological evolution and the emergence of disruptive business models from unexpected competitors, which highlights the need for organisations to prepare for the shift into Industry 4.0.

The final project is a professional consultancy project in digital transformation, which brings together expert knowledge and professional expertise from industry and academia, to deliver responsive, practice-based learning and the honing of negotiation and leadership skills. You will typically undertake consultancy-based work, with a live client where possible, to address a substantial digital transformation scenario, reflecting the practice-based nature of the degree.

You will explore the conceptual and technological aspects of digital business systems and the concerns arising from their continuous transformation. The main themes of the module are: theoretical foundations of digital business and transformation, building the digital enterprise and State-of-the-Art technologies for digital business.

Programme Specification

For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.

Course Leader

Senior Lecturer

Dr Fefie Dotsika is a Senior Lecturer in Business Information Management at Westminster Business School. Fefie’s research interests lie in the area of digital business, emerging technologies, information modelling and system interoperability. She is particularly interested in knowledge transfer between universities and organisations and has successfully led three Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Her teaching is in the area of digital business and particularly social media platforms and digital security.

Fefie’s research interests lie in the area of digital business, emerging technologies, information modelling and system interoperability.

Entry Requirements

Typical offer

Undergraduate Degree

Applicants should normally hold a first degree from a recognised institution (minimum Lower Second Class Honours or international equivalent) and demonstrate interest and motivation in the subject area. Alternative professional qualifications with at least three years' relevant professional experience will also be considered. Directly relevant degree disciplines include business studies, economics, geography, management, and operation research. However, students with qualifications in other disciplines such as engineering, environmental sciences, the humanities and languages are also encouraged to apply.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6 in each element.

There are standard minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate courses. Students are advised to check the standard requirements for the most up-to-date information.

For most courses, a decision will be made on the basis of your application form alone. However, for some courses the selection process may include an interview to demonstrate your strengths in addition to any formal entry requirements.

More information

Careers

Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will have the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in Digital Business, working at the crossroads of business and technology as digital business analysts, consultants and innovators. Should they wish to, our graduates will have the necessary knowledge to pursue further qualifications and professional certification through professional bodies such as the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), British Computer Society (BCS), SAS Global Certification Programme and Mendix University.

Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

With a growing network of over 3,000 employers around the world and a team of experienced careers consultants, we provide you with a variety of opportunities to work and develop new skills. As a University of Westminster student, you’ll have access to our services throughout your studies and after you graduate.

Facilities

Learning platform

Meeting spaces

Library

Classrooms

Bloomberg Suite

Group study zone

Cafe

Find out more

Course Location

Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment and Westminster Business School. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.